If you don't get into too much of a hurry you can do much better. A couple Saturday's ago, I picked up an 80's (?) Acrolite in a rolling Ludwig student bag / case complete with the stand, two or three sets of sticks, a couple of student books (donated those) one of those rubber practice pad things that sets on the head, and a key.

$25.00 yard sale find. And that is not that uncommon. I find a couple of those a year or more on C/L or yard sales. Granted that one was cheap, but still... Double the $45.00 and you can get an Acrolite or old Slingy snare on eBay even...

My thoughts are, spend $45.00 for a piece of junk that I would have to work on after a couple months (c'mon, you KNOW it won't last) or spend double that on something I might have to clean up once, maybe do some simple repairs... and have until my kids have to deal with it...

Just my :2Cents:

Off my soapbox now...

Oh, yeah... You can get a sixties MIJ snare, with a coolness factor that the Chinese one can't match, for even less...

Now I'm REALLY off my soapbox... :)

Thanks for everyone's thoughts on this drum! Wow, some of you really get passionate about these things!

My entire premise on this is what you CAN get, new, for $45 delivered.

I live in southern California and have yet to find a snare drum at a yard sale, CL or thrift stores that wasn't overly priced and in good shape.

As to MIJ snare drums on eBay, have you noticed the price of these lately? Most are through the roof! Yeah, I now see the occasional snare for less than $50, but really wouldn't want any of them. Acrolites for $50? Not in really good condition! Besides, I've already got some really nice Acrolites.

I just thought it was amazing that what appears to be a DECENT snare drum can be sold so cheap. Like many of you said, it's because they're manufactured in China.

I did get confirmation from the seller saying that the lugs are stamped steel. Definitely a reason why the drum can be sold so cheaply! What I admire is that the seller took the time to find out for me. With as many items as the sellers offers, he could have easily said he just didn't know.

I'm still tempted to purchase one, just to take it apart, examine everything and report my findings to VDF.

Thanks for all your previous comments!

I certainly can't argue your reasons for wanting to buy one. Research! Nearly scientific research in fact!

Tell you what, I'll donate $11.00 to you via paypal (apx. a quarter of the cost) if you can find two others to go in on it. You purchase the drum and do a comprehensive analysis and critique of the drum. Such as comparing the stamped lugs to maybe the Ludwig Standard / Rocker stamped lugs. Quality of the tension rods, throw off, butt, rims and heads. Construction quality of the shell, etc...

Tune and play the drum with various heads. Maybe post these tests on YouTube so the sound and tuning variants can be observed.

Make the report here with gobs of pictures and comparisons.

I think that would be interesting!

At the end of the tests, the drum is yours. Either keep it, donate it to some kid or build a bonfire. Your choice.

You don't have to look very far for one more... I'm in for the $11.

PM me with your Paypal email address...

Bill

Well alrighty then! Thanks Bill!

We've got the West coast and Midwest in! East coast? South? North? Europe? Asia?

Who's willing to blow eleven bucks for, um... science?

Hey guys! Thanks for your support to do some "research" on this drum. My girlfriend and I are on our way out the door to unwind at Disneyland today. Most kids should be in school and the park should be uncrowded. My girlfriend, an ER nurse, needs an outlet from the crazy things that happen at the hospital!

I'll purchase that drum and let you know my paypal address. Do we have a third volunteer?!!

Oh come on... someone step up here!

This will be the best $11.00 bucks ever spent for research! Much better than the millions the government blows to find out if a butterfly is made of dairy products!

Well, you seem to have no more takers. Do you want to pony up for the rest while Bill and I toss $22.00 at you?

All right, all right, I'm in. What PayPal account should I deposit it in?

HUZZAH! Another sucker... er research enabler!

I need to know the PayPal account also. Why don't you PM the three of us with that info.

LET THE DISSECTION BEGIN!